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The tag of promotion favourites seemed an apt description as the Rams began the new North West Counties Premier League campaign by overwhelming their hosts in the first 30 minutes.

But St Helens turned the tie on its head in the second half, leaving United wondering how they hadn’t built up a bigger advantage than a one-goal lead in a half they dominated to eventually leave empty handed.

Jon Robinson was thwarted by the keeper, who also denied Bernard Morley, while Ryan Moore’s goalbound volley was saved.

Robinson opened the scoring on 25 minutes when he headed home Grant Spencer’s cross.

It took until the 33rd minute for the home side to finally shake off the Rams’ superiority, as some poor marking ended with Dominic Smalley clearing off the line.

At the other end, Morley’s effort was palmed away before Robinson, having seen his first effort saved, drove the rebound wide with the goal at his mercy.

The half-time whistle sounded, and the visitors headed for the dressing room wondering how on earth they had only managed to score just one goal in a half they totally dominated.

Whatever was said at half-time by Saints’ returning manager Jimmy McBride worked wonders as the home side levelled within 60 seconds of the restart, Williams flicking home.

On 68 minutes, the Saints took the lead when a nasty ricochet ended with Ledger finding the net.

The shell-shocked Rams tried to rescue the game as Spencer’s free kick clipped the bar and Flannery headed wide.

The first-half’s free-flowing football was conspicuous by it’s absence in the second, and an inevitable third goal for the hosts came on 80 minutes when McKeegan scored from close range after a corner was knocked goalwards.

Flannery brought some hope back with five minutes left when he nodded home Spencer’s free kick.

The final whistle went with the visiting players wondering what had happened during the second half after dominating the first 45 minutes.